SHREM'S WORLDLY DELIGHTS: "NEDIYA" + "HAL" - Yasmine Hamdan

Yasmine Hamdan is one of the most unique ambassadors of the Arabic music globally. Her sensual vocals and natural charisma are some of the reasons why she continues to have a cult following internationally whether it's through her original Beirut based, now-legendary trip hop duo Soapkills, through her electro incarnation as Y.A.S. with the electronic wizard that is Mirwais Ahmadzaï or finally through her sophisticated solo recordings. Both "Nediya" and "Hal", recently used in Jim Jarmusch's excellent "Only Lovers Left Alive", come from her latest solo album "Ya Nass". Both tracks are oozing class and musical finesse. Back in April last year Yasmine Hamdan created THIS playlist especially for my blog.

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "RAPT" - Gingy feat. Starving Yet Full /// "PEOPLE CHANGE" - Hot Natured feat. Starving Yet Full

Azari & III's velvet voiced Cédric Gasaida better known as Starving Yet Full continues to inspire the wizards of dance scene with his extraordinary vocal skills, charisma and artistic versatility. Following the releases with Subb-an, Rampa, Moonlight Matters, Yolanda Be Cool and Pete Tong we are about to receive "Rapt" - an incredible vocal house stomper that pretty much guarantees a dancefloor feast. This instant "club goer pleaser" was produced by a Toronto based dj Gingy. Pre-order your 12" copy of "Rapt" HERE!
While preparing this post I have also realised I have never shared S.Y.F.'s collaboration with Hot Natured on my über-nerdy "carousel" yet. "People Change", one of the stand-out tracks on "Different Sides of the Sun", is a moody slice of deep house confirming Gasaida's superior position as the underground house scene's vocal darling. It's always a thrill to hear either Starving Yet Full or Fritz Helder featuring on new releases now that the Canadian quartet is sadly dis-banded.

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "YOU AND ME" - Jessy Lanza

Taken from Hyperdub's upcoming compilation. "You and Me" is one of the brightest moments in Jessy Lanza's short but fruitful career of future R&B and minimal electronica. Such a distinctive and compelling sound and vocals already even though this innovative Canadian songstress has only one album to her name so far. Jessy Lanza and FKA Twigs run my musical world since last year big time.



Here's a juicy bonus. Lanza performing her impossibly brilliant "Keep Moving" live on KCRW.

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SHREM'S CLUB BIZARRE INTRODUCING: "WITHOUT YOU MY LIFE WOULD BE BORING (Shaken Up Version)" + Remixes - The Knife

On June 20, The Knife are digitally releasing "Shaken-Up Versions" a mini album of classic tracks reworked especially for the band's recent North American leg of their Shaking The Habitual Tour. These will include those spectacular renditions of "Pass This On", "We Share Our Mother’s Health", "Got 2 Let U" and "Silent Shout". A real treat for all the fans!

To preview the new versions, the Shaken-Up version of "Without You My Life Would Be Boring" has just been released, accompanied by a video directed by Bitte Andersson and a whole bunch of exciting remixes.

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "FLAWLESS (Baddygirl 2 M.I.A. Partysquad Remix)" - Beyoncé /// "DOUBLE BUBBLE TROUBLE (live)" - M.I.A.

The uncompromising ultimate "Bad Girl" M.I.A. returns with this hyper-energetic remix of Beyoncé's "Flawless" and we get to see her performing "Double Bubble Trouble", one of the stand-out tracks from "Matangi", live before the premiere of its official video directed by Miss Arulpragasam herself. And so the "Matangi" era continues...

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "UNCLE ACE" - Blood Orange + Kindness Remix feat. Robert Owens

It was a stand-out track on Blood Orange's 2nd LP "Cupid Deluxe" from the very beginning but now the track gets to re-live its fabulousness with this fantastic rendition of the track featuring the legendary house vocalist Robert Owens. There's a delectable a/jus/ted Remix in the package too. What a dream team!

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CHOONS OF THE DAY: "KATHY LEE" + "PULL MY HAIR BACK" + "AGAINST THE WALL" - Jessy Lanza

I have just realised that I have only been praising Jessy Lanza's debut record offline so far. Unintentionally. Well I have had "Pull My Hair Back" on repeat for weeks at this stage and still can't get over its brilliance, subtlety and finesse. This is what I could easily imagine Róisín Murphy's next album to sound like. Here's the smooth first single "Kathy Lee", the enticing title track and "Against The Wall" another stand-out song from this understated masterpiece of an album which you can purchase now on Hyperdub HERE! The album was produced by Jeremy Greenspan from Junior Boys and it simply is a must for all the electronica lovers.

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "ONE'S COMPANY" - A K U A

The mysterious A K U A has just released a slightly morbid video for her astonishing "One's Company" which I have already sung the praises of last year and ended up selecting it at #43 among Top 100 Best Tracks of 2013. The video was directed by Kofi Carson.



Here's A K U A's previous video "Gravity" too:

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SHREM'S LATE MONDAY NIGHT SESSIONS: "FOR YOU" [feat. Shola Ama] + "PANDORA'S BOX" [with Toddla T] - Roses Gabor

I have been waiting impatiently for some new material from Roses Gabor since her 2 solo tracks "Stars" and "Night Sky" took my year-end chart by storm back in 2012. Gabor's latest effort is a luscious collaboration with another UK Garage diva Shola Ama. The result of their work together is astonishing, the kind of contemporary (or even futuristic?) R&B sound I adore the most these days.



And while we're at it, is this sensational collaboration with Toddla T ever going to be properly released? Seriously one of the best dance tracks of the past few months...

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "TO LOSE" - Oceaán /// "XXX 88 (Oceaán Remix)" - MØ

Oceaán is a Manchester based artist whose velvet voice, heavenly harmonies and forward-thinking production left me completely flabbergasted with the arrival of this electrifying song. "To Lose" sounds like a cross between Sohn, James Blake, Jamie Woon and Jai Paul all in one with its own unique twist. R'N'B never sounded so mysterious, warped and futuristic. Oceaán's debut EP is due out on 31st March via Chess Club Records. I have never been a fan of MØ but Oceaán also does an outstanding and sublime job remixing her "XXX 88". Think I might have just found myself a brand new male vocal obsession.

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SHREM'S LATE MONDAY NIGHT SESSIONS: "MEMORIES" + "NO END" - Jaakko Eino Kalevi

Jaakko Eino Kalevi comes from Helsinki and was recently signed by Weird World Records. His aptly titled EP "Dreamzone" was out in the busy month of December last year and it includes "Memories" a song which stole my heart completely with its whimsical aura, understated yet sophisticated production and captivating vocals. I haven't really stopped playing it since the day I purchased it. No wonder he's so original and eclectic when he lists Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Chris Rea or Jimi Tenor among his influences. An otherwordly beautiful collection of songs, 2 of which I am delighted to present to you below.

Here's what we also read in the official press release:

"Already something of a cult figure in Helsinki, where he lives and works part-time as a tram driver, Jaakko's (pronounced "Yah-koh") debut release for the label is an alluring introduction to a charismatic artist whose softly psychedelic pop blends funk and folk in an intriguing and highly satisfying manner. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist who is happiest behind the drums, Jaakko plays, sings and produces all his own material. Having released a steady stream of diverse music on local labels for several years, Jaakko has long been considered one of Finland's most promising young artists and with his signing to Weird World becomes the first ever Nordic artist to work with Domino or its subsidiaries in the label's 20-year history."

Jaakko Eino Kalevi - "Memories" (Weird World Record Co) by SHREM

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "TRISTEZA" - Empress Off + Remixes

3 Spanish artists: Delorean, El Guincho and Pional, remixed Empress Of's ethereal "Tristeza" for her latest single dropping soon via Terrible Records. Empress Of is the solo project of 23 years old artist Lorely Rodriguez who swept us off our feet last year with her "Systems" 12" which included the mesmerising "Hat Trick" - one of the best tracks in 2013. Her debut album is on my "most-wanted" list for 2014 already.

Empress Of - Tristeza EP by Terrible Records

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "IT'S ONLY LOVE" /// "JEREMIAH (THE DENIER)" - Ejecta

The ever so slightly enigmatic duo Ejecta are Leanne Macomber and Joel Ford. They make the kind of pop music which is a perfect bridge between synth-laden indie stuff, nu and italo disco. Their solid debut album "Dominae" was released in November 2013 and somehow escaped my attention. While catching up on it now I have come to the realisation it is packed with the most charming melodies and wonderfully kitschy arrangements. A new favourite big time. Here are 2 stand-out tracks from Ejecta's record which is out now via Driftless Recordings in US and Happy Death in UK.

Ejecta - It's Only Love by driftlessrecordings

Ejecta - Jeremiah (The Denier) by driftlessrecordings

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SHREM'S BIGGIES BUT GOODIES BASKET: "GRAB HER!" + "VOICES" [feat. Sasha Keable] + "JANUARY (Kaytranada Remix)" [feat. Jamie Woon] - Disclosure

So Disclosure have just released 7th video from their gargantuan debut album "The Settle". They've also just been deservedly nominated for 4 Brit Awards and celebrate the immensely impressive year they had with an expanded and action packed re-edition of their Mercury Prize nominated record. Now if we could just get one more video for that sensational track with Jessie Ware I would be fully content. Here's "Grab Her!", "Voices" featuring Sasha Keable which I forgot to share with you in the middle of the whole December madness of year-end rankings and Kaytranada's summery mix of Disclosure's joint effort with the velvet-voiced Jamie Woon "January".





Disclosure - January (Kaytranada Edition) by KAYTRANADA

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SHREM'S FUTURE ANTHEMS: "REBOUND" - Dornik

An anthem indeed. Among the warmest, most melodic and sweetest R&B songs in months. Dornik's follow-up single to the astonishing "Something About You" (#22 among Top 100 Best Tracks of 2013 HERE) emerged first back in November last year but now with the arrival of the official video for "Rebound" we can almost feel the release of the track via PMR Records being just around the corner. T U N E!

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CHOONS OF THE DAY: "WRONG OR RIGHT" EP - Kwabs [produced by SOHN]

Kwabena Adjepong who goes under the artistic pseudonym of Kwabs is about to release his lush new EP "Wrong or Right" produced by SOHN on 3rd February. Soulful vibes in an exquisitely crafted electronic environment. This gentleman is to be kept close watch on. A sumptuous selection of songs with "Wrong Or Right" having a big hit written all over it.

Wrong or Right EP by Kwabs.

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SHREM'S CLUB BIZARRE INTRODUCING: "I NEVER LOVED THIS HARD THIS FAST BEFORE" + "VIA PIERO GOBETTI 15" - Tami Tamaki

The first time I had an undeniable pleasure to encounter Tami Tamaki's mind-blowing "I Never Loved This Hard This Fast Before" was thanks to one of my most favourite blogs out there Catch Fire. It left me flabbergasted, speechless and in "an avalanche of goosebumps" as I like to describe this rare sensation... Every next time I came back to listen to it this week, it had an almost opposite effect on me. All I wanted was to talk about it, spread the word, share it and make everyone I know, everyone that cares about uniqueness in music as deeply as myself, listen to it at least once. I don't know anything about the enigmatic Tami Tamaki but this track completely swept me off my feet. "I Never Loved This Hard This Fast Before" electrifies with its rawness, honesty, simplicity, minimalism while still managing to be an elaborate, powerful, unforgettable piece of music. The melody and the production have absolutely stolen my heart, I must admit... "Cute lovesong performed totally live with beatboxing and looping and stuff" as Tamaki describes herself (himself?). Fucking genius indeed.

Tami Tamaki welcomes 2014 with a new, future R&B song too "Via Piero Gobetti 15" which she generously gives away for free on her Soundcloud (you can also download it below). One of a kind, exhilarating, staggering and raunchy.



Via Piero Gobetti 15 by Tami Tamaki

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CHOON OF THE DAY: "INNOCENCE" - Electric Youth

 

Was this wondrous single from Electric Youth really released back in November? I have completely missed out on it if it really was and tend to treat is as a 2014 track. Another superb synth-pop odyssey courtesy of this gifted "future 80's" Canadian duo. Let's hope we get to hear Electric Youth's full length album sometime this year.

Electric Youth - Innocence by Electric Youth (Official)

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SHREM'S DOUBLE TROUBLE: "FLOWERS" - bEEdEEgEE Feat. Lovefoxxx /// "WARNI WARNI (bEEdEEgEE Remix)" - Omar Souleyman

It makes perfect sense that Gang Gang Dance's bEEdEEgEE's solo debut would come out via the genre-bending 4AD. The first single "Flowers", featuring Lovefoxxx from CSS, sounds like a perfect bridge between the 1980's new wave sounds à la the label's cult duo Cocteau Twins and the ever-so-current twisted synth-pop scene the likes of Purity Ring or Grimes.  "SUM/ONE" is out now and it also includes Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor among other rather special guests. The enigmatic bEEdEEgEE is also responsible for one of my favourite remixes in 2013 for Omar Souleyman's "Warni Warni" bringing his distinctive Syrian disco sound to completely new sonic dimensions. Check out the rest of my Top 20 Best Remixes of 2013 list HERE!



Omar Souleyman - Warni Warni (bEEdEEgEE remix) by Omar Souleyman

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SHREM'S BIGGIES BUT GOODIES: "CRYING FOR NO REASON" - Katy B

Last year around this time I discovered "Aaliyah" - Katy B's dazzling collaborative single with Jessie Ware which was a herald of all those electrifying singles we were to receive in 2013. The history's repeating now with the release of the official video for Katy B's epic "clubland lullaby" "Crying For No Reason" scheduled to drop 24th January and announcing the arrival of B's 2nd LP "Little Red" out the following week. Let's welcome the first great single of 2014. "Crying For No Reason" is what I like to describe as Pure Pop Perfection.

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